Friday, June 29, 2007

Update...

>> Addicts Across America (another family in Sacramento, CA)
>> Beautiful Babies (Sydney and Peyton - Sacramento, CA)

Send your submissions to editor@babyblogaddict.com.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

'Bachelorette' Baby

Remember Trista Sutter, the pink-loving Reality TV star who found love on The Bachelorette? Well, she's having a baby and US Weekly is going gaga. The celebrity mag features all kinds of pictures and details about her (gasp!) baby shower in Colorado.

She says her favorite part of being pregnant is feeling the baby kick and Trista, who's also experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, is getting a lot of those these days.

Sutter is due August 23 and she and husband Ryan are not finding out the sex--more information from Baby Blog Addict that you can't live without!

Future Addict

Our house has grown by two feet! Welcome Anna Katherine Long! Born on May 11, 2007 at 10:45 am. She weighed 5 lbs and 7 ozs. and was 18 inches long.



Spread your news to the Addict Nation! Send your birth or pregnancy announcements to editor@babyblogaddict.com.

Potty Training

I've heard that potty training can be one of the most challenging times of parenting.

On our forum Millers Mommy asks...
"I have a little boy that will be 3 in August and we are starting to potty train, and well it is not going well. Should I stop life until he gets this or just let it happen whenever? But the thing is, he has to be potty trained when he starts 3 year day school in the fall. Any help or suggestions is appreciated!!!! I am about to lose my mind!!!"

I'm not there yet with my 20-month old son, so I don't have any personal advice for her. According to babycenter, no magic age signals the ideal time to start the process of toilet training. Some children develop the necessary physical and cognitive skills as early as 18 to 24 months, whereas others aren't ready until they're 3 or 4 (boys are often slightly later than girls). Some children get the knack in a few short days, while it can take others a year or more. For more on this milestone from babycenter, click here.

Savvy-Baby-Gear also gives 8 tips on how to potty train.

Feel free to share your own tips and success stories with Millers Mommy on our forum.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

80s Toys Your Child Will Enjoy

I love best of the 80s lists (toys, music, television shows), because they bring me back to my childhood. Do you ever feel like you want to buy the wooden 80s version of a toy (with no bells and whistles) rather than the new plastic one from 2007 for your child? Here's a list of the Top Ten 80s toys that your child (and probably you too) will enjoy.

1. Cabbage Patch Kids
2. Colorforms
3. Etch-a-Sketch
4. Hot Wheels
5. Legos and Duplos
6. Lite Brite
7. Sit 'N Spin
8. Radio Flyer Wagon
9. Tonka Trucks
10. Slinky

This list is from About.com. I'm sure you can think of a few more. How about Care Bears, Rainbow Bright, Popples, Pound Puppies and the Rubik's Cube...? Share your favorite 80s toys in the comments section.

Update...

>> Addicts Across America (Sacramento, CA and Mobile, AL)
>> Beautiful Babies (Anna Katherine - Mobile, AL)

Come clean...send your names (first names only) and location for Addicts Across America (email addresses are optional), your pictures for Beautiful Babies and your Baby Blog Addiction Stories to editor@babyblogaddict.com.

Baby's Sleep: 8 Most-Asked Questions

For many new parents a good night's sleep has become an elusive dream. If you are like most new moms and dads, you have lots of questions about nighttime parenting. Get some relief (and sleep) with answers to your 8 most-asked questions.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Hire a Lifeguard

Safety around swimming pools is stressed so much, especially when it comes to kids during the summer. Most public pools have lifeguards. But what if you are hosting a pool party at your own home?

The July issue of Parents magazine suggested hiring a lifeguard if you host a pool party for kids. I thought that was such a great idea to make the party a little less stressful for the host and a little more fun and most importantly safe for the kids and parents. The same day I read the article, my sister-in-law posted on her blog that she took her son to a birthday pool party where the parents hired a lifeguard at their own pool.

Since I don't have a pool and haven't been to a kid's pool party yet, I guess I had never really thought about it. But hiring a lifeguard is a great idea that I'm sure you and the other parents will appreciate, if you decide to throw a pool party at your home.

Update...

>> Addicts Across America (Pelham, AL)

Send your names (first names only) and location to editor@babyblogaddict.com. E-mail addresses are optional.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Masche Sextuplets Update

A couple of weeks ago we wrote about the two sets of sextuplets born within 10 hours of each other. Jenny Masche, the mother of one set of sextuplets, had heart failure shortly after the births because of the huge volume of blood she was carrying in her body while pregnant. This morning The Today Show updated her condition and checked in on the healthy babies.

Click here to check out the video.

Rock Star Momma

A new book helps pregnant women celebrate their changing bodies with fashion, beauty and grace. "Rock Star Momma: The Hip Guide to Looking Gorgeous Through All Nine Months and Beyond" is a comprehensive well-being guide with a foreword by actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

Today's Headlines

>> Celebs tone down baby names...
>> Celebrity baby pics all the rage...
>> First pictures of Tiger Woods' baby...
>> Fake priest tries to baptize baby...

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Baby Genius

How about this: a toddler with an incredible 152 IQ. That puts her in the top two percent of the population and in the same league, proportionate to her age, as physicist Stephen Hawking.

MENSA currently has more than 100,000 worldwide members. Only 30 are younger than 10 years old. The youngest display signs of genius early on, and one of the most common characteristics is a remarkable memory. Jessica's ability to retain information is uncanny. She is currently the youngest American MENSA member at age 3.

Today's Headlines

>> Family busted for giving booze to infant...
>> Pregnancy watch tells fertility time...
>> Traveling with a newborn...
>> How Gestational Diabetes can affect your baby...
>> Baby has 25 middle names...
>> Baby delivered in New York tunnel...

Video: Dog Bark Startles Sleeping Baby

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Future Addict














Announcing the arrival of William LeGrand Steele IV, otherwise known as Liam. He was born at 5:40 p.m. on June 17th, weighing 8 pounds, 1.4 ounces and is 20” long.

Send your birth or pregnancy announcements to editor@babyblogaddict.com.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Website Spotlight: Come Together Cards

Check out these cute designs, including mommy business cards, from Come Together Cards.

Guess what the designer, Courtney, says is her favorite way to waste time?
I love to read blogs of my friends. It is such a great way to keep in touch - like a little book about their life, complete with pictures! I have not been in the blogging world long, but I already can see that it could be addicting!

Sounds like she needs to be introduced to Baby Blog Addict if she hasn't found us yet!

Picky Eater: Blueberry Muffins

Shannon has posted some great recipe suggestions (to get healthy food into picky eaters) on our forum. Here's a nutritious recipe from her for Blueberry Muffins.

1 3/4 cup all purpose baking mix or self rising flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup blueberries
3/4 cup milk

Heat oven 375˚. Mix to good wet consistency. Use ice cream scoop to scoop into muffin pan (sprayed with nonstick spray or lined). Cook 12-15 mintues until brown.

Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants such as vitamins E & C. Wheat germ is an excellent Source of Vitamin E and Folic Acid.


To get some other great tips or share some of your own ideas, check out our forum thread on Picky Eaters.

See our other Picky Eater posts: V8 Splash, Triple-Stuffed Potatoes, Chocolate Pudding, Pumpkin Pancakes.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Children's Books

I buy lots of children's books and like to find good deals. Jack usually gets a board book for each holiday (Easter, Valentine's Day, Father's Day) and lots of others in between. Recently he wouldn't let go of the Baby Einstein Dogs mini-board book at the library, and I found more that size at a discount store (Hudson's Salvage) for 20 cents each!

I also love to give books as birthday gifts, especially box sets of board books. I try to stock up, so I have them on hand when we get invitations. I've found some great discounted box sets at Tuesday Morning. Four board books in a handy carry case that kids love - retail $18.99, but TM sells for $4.99

Another good place to check for books is Overstock.com. They have the Sandra Boynton sets, retail for $21.95; overstock price $14.18. Their basic shipping is a flat $2.95, but make sure to sign up for their email specials. They often offer free shipping.

I haven't tried second-hand book stores or ebay yet, but those might be my next stops. If you have any other great ideas for inexpensive books, let us know on the forum.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Library Story Time

Story time at your public library is a great oppotunity for babies and toddlers to experience books with someone other than mom and dad. And best of all, it's FREE! Most libraries break up the story times by age and meet once a week. I've seen lots of other blogging moms check out their local library storytimes with their kids and they love it too. You may think your child would never sit still, but you might be surprised.

Check out your local library for times, and if you have a conflict, you can just go on your own to read new books with your child, check out books to bring home (just make sure to keep a list of what you check out each time), and you can even check out children's DVDs and CDs.

Oh, and while you are there, check out their selection of movies for date night with your spouse. You can rent them for just $1 each if they are entertainment (these are the same ones that Blockbuster rents for $4-$5 each) and free if they are educational.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Sextuplets Update

A few days ago, we posted about the two sets of sextuplets that were born within 10 hours of each other. Unfortunately, three of the six Morrison sextuplets from Minnesota have died. I came across their personal site morrison6.com a few days ago after reading an article about them. They are experiencing high traffic, so the site isn't always accessible. According to their site a couple of weeks ago, there were four mothers in the US who were expecting sextuplets:

>>Brianna Morrison (MN) - sextuplets born Sunday, 6/10 at 22 weeks; 4 boys, 2 girls; 3 have passed away.

>>Jennifer Masche (AZ) - sextuplets born Monday, 6/11 at 30 weeks; 3 boys, 3 girls.

>>Karoline Byler (FL) - 5 boys and 1 girl who according to their site will be with them "hopefully in mid-September".

>>Gracie Soldani (CA) - currently 17 weeks pregnant; 5 sacs total, 4 fraternal twins and 1 set of identical twins.

They all have similar stories, fears, excitement and needs with one common thread. All have been asked many times, "How can we help?" So they have set up donation areas on their sites. Please visit and make a donation if you can. They are all asking for lots of prayers too.

Pacifier Clip

Jack received this pewter airplane pacifier clip as a baby gift. It was one of the best gifts when it comes to practicality and cuteness! I finally found it online at polkadotwhale.com. They also have a prince pewter clip, princess one, surfer blue stripe and candy pink stripe. At just $14.95 for the pewter and $9 for the stripes, these make great shower gifts or first visit to see baby gifts.

Star Parenting Styles

On Monday, Julia Roberts and husband Daniel Moder welcomed baby Henry Daniel Moder. He joins twin siblings Hazel and Phinnaeus, 2. What can Henry expect from his superstar mother? All moms "love their kids and adore them beyond belief," says Danielle Friedland of Celebrity-babies.com, but "different mom types are reflected within parenting methods, design and style choices." USA TODAY gets Friedland's take on each type.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Candy Cigarettes Linked to Smoking

Candy cigarettes predispose children who play with them to smoke the real things later, new research concludes. The study is the first to show a statistical link between a history with fake cigarettes and adult experiences with real smokes — 22 percent of current or former smokers had also regularly consumed candy cigarettes, while only 14 percent of those who have never smoked had eaten or played with candy cigarettes often or very often.

Ouch: Docs Find Sewing Needles in Fussy Baby

A couple in Southwest China were left in shock when doctors told them that the reason for their one-year-old baby's unusual crankiness and loss of appetite was the six sewing needles inserted at different places all over his body. The child's parents, migrant workers from southwest China, said they had no idea how the needles ended up in their son, nicknamed Xiao Yu.

Today's Headlines

>> Expert: Pureed baby food 'unnecessary'...
>> "Baby Bling" can be dangerous...
>> Seeing baby in 3D...
>> Packing for a trip with baby...
>> What's in a baby's name...
>> Win a dream nursery...

Updates...

>> Addicts Across America (Millbrook, Alabama)
>> Addiction Stories (Amy in Alabama)

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Happy Father's Day!


I love this picture and think that it really captures the strong bond between my husband and now 20-month-old son. We call this their "first conversation" which took place soon after Jack's birth.

I'd like to wish a Happy Father's Day to my husband, dad, father-in-law and all of the dads, dads-to-be, people who long to be a father and those who may not have children of their own, but have been a father-figure in some way to a child.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Picky Eater: The Sneaky Chef - Part 2

A couple of days ago, I gave you the recipe for Triple Stuffed Potatoes from The Sneaky Chef cookbook. Now for dessert. How about Store-Bought Chocolate Pudding with Green Juice (yep, that's spinach)?
_____________
Make-Ahead Recipe #5: Green Juice
3 cups raw baby spinach leaves (or 2 cups frozen chopped spinach, or frozen chopped collard greens)
1 cup water


If using raw spinach, thoroughly wash it, even if package says "prewashed." Bring spinach or collards and water to boil in a medium pot. Turn heat to low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

Pour into a fine mesh strainer over a container or bowl, pressing the green "pulp" with the back of a spoon until all the liquid is released.

The liquid released makes about 1 cup of Green juice. Double the recipe if you want to store another cup of juice. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days, or freeze 1/4 cup portions in sealed plastic bags or small plastic containers.
______________________________________
Chocolate Pudding

1 Tablespoon Green Juice (see make-ahead recipe above) per 1/4 cup of chocolate pudding
Store-bought Chocolate Pudding (pre-made in containers or from a box)

This looks very strange at first, but keep mixing and the green will completely disappear into the brown color of the pudding.
______________________________________

Result:
Jack ate the chocolate pudding (rich in vitamins A, K, C, manganese, folate and iron) with no problem! He loves pudding and obviously could not tell the difference. I can honestly say that I didn't taste the spinach in it either. Although it is a little hard to swallow when you know there is spinach juice in your chocolate pudding.

To share your own ideas or ask for advice, check out the Picky Eaters section on our forum.

See our other Picky Eater posts: V8 Splash, Triple-Stuffed Potatoes, Blueberry Muffins, Pumpkin Pancakes.

Weeblock

We just featured the Pee-pee Teepee below. Sumer let us know about a similar must-have for parents of boys. The Weeblock is available at Toys "R" Us and has some pretty creative themes like, "Tinkle, Tinkle Lil' Star", "Lil' Squirt" and "Lil' Ladies Man".

Friday, June 15, 2007

Pee-Pee Teepee

I had heard about the Pee-pee Teepee when Jack was a baby and could have used it a few times, but never had one. This is such a cute shower gift for anyone having a baby boy and is likely to get a good laugh out of everyone there.

Here's the Pee-pee Teepee Poem:

Changing a baby girl is not all glitz and glory;
Changing a baby boy is an even bigger horror story.
You hold his feet in one hand, and the diaper in the other;
The whole time praying, "Please don't pee on your mother!"

Update...

>> Addiction Stories

Vera's Mommy said..."I am a friend of Millers Mommy and I too am a Blogger Addict. I have had so many family members and friends start blogs too! We are one big happy blogging family! Love the site and will visit it daily!"

We love to hear your stories. Send yours to editor@babyblogaddict.com or post it on our forum!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Picky Eater: The Sneaky Chef - Part 1

Recently on the The Today Show, I saw a chef who was preparing some recipes from her cookbook titled The Sneaky Chef. Missy Chase Lapine hides healthy foods in kids' favorite meals. I was so excited to buy the cookbook, but when I actually flipped through it, I realized that these recipes are great if your kids actually eat mac n' cheese, pizza, hamburgers, spaghetti. But, like I said, Jack is VERY picky. He doesn't eat any of that!

I tried a couple of recipes (including the Triple-Stuffed Potatoes below) that I thought had the best chance of success and other than making a huge mess in my kitchen, I would have to say that it was fairly successful. I'm going to continue experimenting with more as he starts to eat the things that all kids like...mac n' cheese for one.
______________________________
Make-Ahead Recipe #4: White Puree

2 cups cauliflower, cut into florets
2 small to medium zucchini, peeled and rough chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1-2 tablespoons water, if necessary

Steam cauliflower in a vegetable steamer over 2 inches of water, using a tightly-covered pot, for about 10 to 12 minutes until very tender. Alternatively, place cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with water, and microwave on high for 8 to 10 minutes until very tender.

While waiting for the cauliflower to finish steaming, start to pulse the raw peeled zucchini with the lemon juice only (no water at this point). Drain the cooked cauliflower. Working in batches if necessary, add it to the pulsed zucchini in the bowl of the food processor with one tablespoon of water. Puree on high until smooth. Stop occasionally and push contents from the top to the bottom. If necessary, use the second tablespoon of water to make a smooth (but not wet) puree.

Makes about 2 cups of puree. Double recipe if you want to store even more, which can be done in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze 1/4 cup portions in sealed plastic bags or small plastic containers.
___________________________________
Triple-Stuffed Potatoes

3 large russet potatoes, scrubbed
1/4 to 1/2 cup White Puree (see make-ahead recipe above)
3/4 cup grated low-fat cheddar cheese, divided
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons low-fat sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional extra boost: mix in 1/2 cup chopped broccoli or peas

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Prick potatoes several times with a fork and place them directly on oven rack. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until tender. Remove potatoes from the oven and set aside until cool enough to handle. Turn oven to high broil.

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl, leaving some potato in the skin to keep sheels intact. Mash potatoes lightly with a fork, adding the White Puree, 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese, butter, sour cream and salt. Refill the shells with the potato mixture, mounding slightly. Divide the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar among the potatoes and top each potato half with aobut 1 tablespoon of the grated cheddar. Place on a cookie sheet and broil, about 6 inches from the heat, for 8 to 10 minutes until bubbly brown. Serve immediately.

__________________________________

Here are my results. Jack will sometimes eat baked potato with cheese, so I figured he might like these. He didn't eat them for dinner that night, but I'm not giving up. I thought it was delicious! If I would not have known what was in it, I would have thought it was just a regular potato.

TIP: I scooped the leftover white puree into an ice tray (2 cubes=1/4 cup), covered it with saran wrap and put it in the freezer. When it was frozen, I removed the cubes from the tray and put them in a freezer bag for use later. Now, I can just pull out what I need for the next recipe that uses the white puree.


Stay tuned for Store-Bought Chocolate Pudding with Green Juice (yep, that's spinach) in it.

See our other Picky Eater posts: V8 Splash, Chocolate Pudding, Blueberry Muffins, Pumpkin Pancakes.

Toy Recall

Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway vehicles and wooden train set components sold at toy stores and various retailers nationwide from January 2005 through June 2007 have been recalled due to a possible lead poisoning hazard. For a more detailed report including who to call and what to do, click here.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Picky Eater: V8 Splash

I have a 20 month old who is a VERY picky eater, so I decided to do a "Picky Eater" series of posts with some advice I've received and some things I've already tried. Feel free to post any advice or questions on the Picky Eater thread on our forum.

Jack would eat bread, cheese and ice cream at every meal if he could. My husband tells me not to stress about it, but I say that's easier said than done. I put new food on his plate all the time and try it over and over again to see if one day it might be a success. But even if it's a success one day, it's not a guarantee that he'll like it the next day.

On the forum Kerri said, "I found an easy way to add veggies to my kids diet! I let Page pick out what juice she wanted at the grocery store and she picked out one of the V8 Splash varieties. They love it and the #1 ingredient is carrot juice!"

Thanks, Kerri! I tried the V8 Splash Tropical Blend and he loved it. I even made popsicles out of it and he was so excited about his refreshing tropical treat.

Feeding a picky eater is definitely a challenge. This is just one of the tips I've learned to get healthy food into my picky eater. There's more to come...

Baby Monitor Picks Up Space Station Signal

A Chicago-area mother got quite a shock when she turned on her baby monitor and saw broadcasts from the International Space Station.

Click here for video.

Video: Dog and Baby Girl

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Sextuplets...twice

A 24-year-old woman in Minneapolis (four boys, two girls) and a 32-year-old woman in Phoenix (three boys, three girls) gave birth to sextuplets within 10 hours of each other. All six babies in Minneapolis are in critical condition and the mother in Phoenix suffered heart failure. She is recovering in an intensive care unit.

The Arizona sextuplets were featured this morning on the Today Show. Click here to check out the video.

Today's Headlines

>> Couple turns to MySpace to adopt baby...
>> Cost of having a baby...
>> The battle against "baby blues"...
>> Father delivers baby on highway...
>> Baby delivered on toll road...
>> 'Miracle baby' survives after 20 minutes underwater...

Updates...

>> Beautiful Babies (Cal and Cam - Texas; Vera - Alabama)
>> Addicts Across America (Texas, Alabama, Louisiana)
>> Addiction Stories

The addiction stories are starting to roll in. Keep 'em coming! The Baby Blog Addicts are beginning to accept their problem and step forward. It's a beautiful thing.

Update...

>> Addiction Stories (millersmommy)

Millersmommy said, "I'm just glad to know I'm not the only addict out there. I love babies and kids so much and love to see what other babies are doing. And I too have found old friends in the blog world. This site is a great place for all the baby blog addicts to unite."

Come clean...send your addiction story to editor@babyblogaddict.com or post it on our forum!

Ann Taylor Loft Maternity

Ann Taylor Loft is my favorite store. So imagine my surprise today when I got an email from them saying, "Loft Maternity is Here!" Their maternity line is so cute. I was ready to spend a couple hundred dollars. Then I realized, I don't need maternity clothes...I'm not even pregnant!

Loft Maternity is available in a few of their stores around the U.S. and it's available online. Just enter code MATERNITY from June 11-30 to receive free standard shipping on your entire order with any maternity purchase.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Website Spotlight: baby-gaga

We've already spotlighted the Lilypie ticker which I've seen on a lot of baby blogs. Here's another one that I just came across. Baby-gaga offers free pregnancy and birthday tickers that count down the days to a due date or birthday. For the pregnancy ticker, you can choose between developmental text...






...or their edgy-but-fun sarcastic text.






Start by configuring the ticker of your choice. Once you've configured your ticker, click on "get my ticker" to get the code & paste it into emails, forums and blogs.

And don't miss their weekly pregnancy cartoons that offer a humorous illustration for each week of your pregnancy. Here's the cartoon for week 32.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Baby Milestones

Parenting Magazine has come up with 10 baby milestones for the first two years of life. Eye contact, gesturing and pretend play are among the ones making the cut.

Updates...

>> Beautiful Babies (Miller - Hawaii)
>> Addicts Across America (Hawaii)

Friday, June 8, 2007

Father's Day Gifts...For Baby

Fathers will be flattered to see their little ones in clothing that expresses their love for their daddy, especially on Father's Day. Check out these cute onesies, shirts and pjs.


1) Gap - Father's Day muscle tank bodysuit..."Dad thinks he's in charge".

2) Red Envelope - Monkey Business Bodysuits. This set of three onesies is adorable! "Daddy's My Hero", "Daddy's Main Squeeze" and "My Daddy Rocks". Order by today (6/8) for ground, 6/13 for 2-day and 6/14 for overnight delivery.

3) Personalization Mall - "Daddy's little sweet pea" shirt, bib or romper personalized with child's first name.

4) Gap - "I love Dad" pajama.

Recipe: Chicken Salad

Bridget is in a recipe rut, so she asked for some good summer recipes on our forum. Here's one I have for chicken salad.

3 cups cubed, cooked chicken (about 1 1/2 lbs.; see cooking instructions below)
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. onion salt
handful of toasted almonds

Mix mayo, sour cream, salt and onion salt in a bowl. Add the chopped chicken and mix together. Top with toasted almonds. Serve with crackers, on wheat bread or over a bed of mixed greens.

To boil chicken breasts:
· Add 1 ½ lbs. boneless chicken breasts to pot of water
· Bring to a boil
· Reduce heat and cover
· Cook 9-14 minutes
· Take off heat; drain water

Feel free to share some of your favorite recipes on our forum.

(Thanks Honeycutt family)

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Top 5: Parenting Books on Toddlers

1) What to Expect the Toddler Years
2) The Girlfriend's Guide to Toddlers
3) Food for Tots
4) Active Learning for Twos
5) Mothering Your Nursing Toddler

From About.com.

Update...

>> Addicts Across America (Brookhaven, MS)

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Father's Day Gifts

Father's Day is just around the corner, so don't wait too long to get your husbands, dads and dads-to-be some memorable gifts. Here are some great ideas and you don't even have to leave home for them. Check them out soon, so you are not slammed with expensive last minute shipping charges.

The Ultimate Crib Sheet

The ultimate crib sheet from Babies "R" Us is a must-have for your nursery and more importantly for whoever changes the sheet. It's a perfect baby shower gift too.

At $17.99, it's a little pricier than a normal crib sheet, but well worth it! You can still have your decorative crib sheet covering the mattress and showing on the sides, but you never have to change it. The ultimate crib sheet just sits on top and has elastic straps that snap easily around the crib slats. You don't have to remove the bumper pads or completely strip the crib to change the sheet. I've had two ultimate crib sheets from the beginning and just alternate the two. I can't imagine life without it.

The Benefits of Music

Want a smart baby? Listen to music while you're pregnant and expose your infant to a variety of sounds, say experts in infant development. Research shows prenatal exposure to music can boost many baby behaviors, including babbling, hand-eye co-ordination and following objects with their eyes.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Snack Trap

The "Snack Trap" is an infant feeding product (designed for toddlers/kids ages 1-5). Each cup has a unique lid with slits that allow toddlers to see and retrieve food with ease and the lid automatically closes when the toddlers remove their hand. The snack trap allows toddlers to feed themselves while helping to prevent spills when the cup is knocked, dropped, or thrown (as a result of a temper or just for fun).

I bought Jack's snack trap at Babies "R" Us and he uses it all the time - at home, the grocery, restaurants and in the jogging stroller. It makes snacking so easy.

Preparing for Baby

Here are eight steps to keep in mind as you count the days until your new baby's arrival.

Healthline.com

When it comes to your baby or toddler being sick, sometimes it's hard to know what's wrong with them. Check out Healthline.com's Symptom Search. Discover possible causes based on the symptoms you enter. Each time you enter another symptom, you create a more precise search.

Monday, June 4, 2007

Flying With Baby

Check out these helpful tips before taking to the sky with a baby in tow.

Come Clean, Addicts!

We'd love more baby blog addiction stories to post on the site. Don't be afraid to come forward and admit that you're an addict and join the growing crowd of people just like you.

Our most recent confession came from "Raesmom" in Mississippi: "My baby blog addiction started innocent enough. I started reading one blog because the family had the same due date as we did. Now I check that blog at least once a week to see what their little one is doing. From that blog I hopped to other baby blogs. I never thought I'd be one of those parents who would like to listen to other people brag on their kids but I really do."

Send your stories to editor@babyblogaddict.com.

Daily Bathing Could Harm Baby's Skin

A new study from Mother and Baby magazine says that skin problems like eczema are occurring with increasing frequency as compared to the last generation. Experts feel the direct blame for this must be laid at the parents' door as they are bathing their babies' everyday.

The solution? Bathe babies only three times per week until they start crawling.

An Ode to the Baby Jogger

A funny column from a newspaper in Vermont. Here's an excerpt:

"We thought as long as we had a baby jogger, nothing would change. We'd just keep on running -- wouldn't miss a step -- just incorporate that little guy into our old lifestyle and move on. With that in mind, it was essential that we have the most aerodynamic, light-weight, runner-recommended model. We didn't want to be slowed down one bit."

Guess what? They were slowed down.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Website Spotlight: McNulty Quads














Yes, you read that right. It's the McNulty Quads, or as their father affectionately refers to them, The Diva (Molly), Ally, Libby and Bubba (Russ).

My sister sent me this blog after she came across it while blog-hopping. I started at the beginning and read through the entire blog that night. It is one of the most amazing blogs you will ever read. Their story from their first post in December 2005 is touching and the blogging by their father is hilarious. I especially love how he writes about each child's personality and milestones in each post.

Here's another blog to fuel your baby blog addiction.

Add Music to Your Blog











>> Project Playlist
>> Tornado Stream
>> Powerline Tours

Video: Tantrum Baby

Video: Manager Goes Crazy

This video has absolutely nothing to do with Babies, blogs or addicts, but it's hilarious. Mississippi Braves manager Phillip Wellman, a man known for his on-field theatrics over the years, had enough of the umpiring Saturday night and went into full-blown entertainment mode. The highlight: Wellman getting down on his chest, crawling to the pitcher's mound and tossing a resin bag at the home plate umpire as if it were a grenade.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Mother's Helpers

It's no secret that a lot of moms struggle with going back to work and leaving a baby at home with a nanny. A new book called "The Perfect Stranger: The Truth About Mothers And Nannies" deals with the issue through the eyes of a journalist and mother of two. Check out what she says about the source of her anxiety in this Newsweek interview.

Product Recalls: Toy Drums and Baby Swings

>> About 4,500 Eli's Small Drums and Liberty's Large Drums
>> About 112,000 Rainforest Open Top Take-Along baby swings

Click here for the full recall notice.

Updates...

>> Beautiful Babies (Emily - Jackson, MS)
>> Addicts Across America (Jackson, MS)

Friday, June 1, 2007

Website Spotlight: Double Takes Photography














Nikki is a children's photographer in Mandeville, LA. Check out her beautiful work at Double Takes Photography. She's booking appointments for Father's Day.

Sharing the Nest

When a new baby arrives, the experience can obviously be a trying one for the child who used to get all the attention. The issue is addressed in this morning's Washington Post:

"...A few firstborns are immediately enchanted, and stay enchanted, by the new baby and can't do enough to help, while other firstborns are negative from the start, like the little boy who angrily washed his mother's best dress in the dishwasher or the 4-year-old who refused to look at the baby when she came home. He had ordered a brother, he said, and got a sister instead."